New York (CNNMoney.com) - The Senate Wednesday voted 59 to 39 to restore unemployment benefits to 2.5 million jobless Americans, ending a seven-week stalemate.

The bill, which would push back the deadline to file for extended unemployment benefits until the end of November, now goes to the House, where it is expected to pass on Thursday. The president is expected to sign the measure quickly.

On Monday, Obama called on the Senate to pass the extension, saying the unemployed should not be held hostage to politics. He praised lawmakers after the Senate narrowly approved Tuesday a key procedural step that allowed the bill to move to final passage.

"Today marks an important step toward passing the unemployment insurance extension which is critical to millions of Americans fighting to find a job, put food on the table and make ends meet during this tough economic time," he said on Tuesday.

soundoff(8 Responses)

BeverlyNC

The Republican Party who hates American workers and the middle class was finally beaten again. They are so blinded with hate all they can do is criticize and try to destroy our nation in some sick game thinking it will be them power again.

Today was another victory for the PEOPLE brought to us once again by the Democrats. Democrats have delivered over and over for the People and voters should remember that in November. If you want leaders who really go to Congress to serve YOU – vote Democratic. If you want to go back to the disaster Bush years then vote Republican. They have made it very clear that is what they plan to do if they gain seats in Congress. They have said they will repeal healthcare, repeal the financial reform and all the consumer protections, they will eliminate Medicare and send seniors to the insurance companies for healthcare, will repeal equal pay for women and reinstate the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and stop the tax cuts for the middle class.

So choose – who do you think is going to keep strengthening our nation, create jobs, and helping working families and who is going to destroy our nation yet again??

July 21, 2010 07:36 pm at 7:36 pm |

David

Great, now dems should move onto energy reform in a big way, prior to November as you will score huge political points if you create a strong domestic energy plan that will create jobs and in the long term save money and decrease the deficit. Even if you need to invest $ in this to start voters won't care as can easiliy sell the long term benefits, even if can't be done prior to November at least let the voters know where you are going.

July 21, 2010 07:46 pm at 7:46 pm |

Go USA!

What did the middle class have to give up this time to the GOP in order to get this passed?

July 21, 2010 07:55 pm at 7:55 pm |

Donald

I am please to see that many Americans who through no fault of their own will be able to with some dignity, pay their bill and put food on their tables as they continue with the job hunting persuit. I am one who believe that whatsoever the government plan on paying out should be deficit nutral. Any how, should these people be abondon by the government during this harid economic condition? No. To find area in the government spending to cut require timely assessment so that the cuts are properly applied so that others such as the elderly and poor are not unduely hurt further. Should the unemployed wait as long as it take for the assessment to be completed before the extension was voted on? No. So the only way is as is done. Grant the extension then let an item like the Bush tax cut to the wealthy expire. This will more than offset the amount for the unemployment payment extension and also reduce the deficit. Other areas of savings where cuts can be made could now be explored.

July 21, 2010 08:18 pm at 8:18 pm |

Roy Green

I wanna thank president obama for pushing the issue !!

July 21, 2010 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |

George of the jungle

Thank you Mr President. Polls show 48 % would not vote for you again according to CNN But that means 52% would. I am one of them. Good Job

July 21, 2010 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |

Donald

Seriously the gop should be ashame of themselves. and whats sad is there are registared repubs who will benefit from this who will vote them back in office. question to the gop, cons and t party how did we pay for the two wars, medical part d, 2001 and 2003 tax cut for the rich(cause i didnt get one). And now they worried about debt. when have repubs ever balance a budget

July 21, 2010 08:41 pm at 8:41 pm |

usualone

These jobless folk vote too. I wonder whom they will be voting for. The Democrats who have issues? or The Republicans who lack hearts. Yes, we have to worry about the future debts of this country. But what about the people who are in the here and now and are hurting? I wonder how truly reflective polls are. No one has polled us for years.